Why I love facebook~Kinda like a "quote" journal

I can post something like this:
Anybody get the doctor OK to give their baby whole milk at 10 months?
Wed at 2:46pm
And get answers instantly from friends all over who don't even have access to my blog.

Kelly Smith Titmus No- but I did it with my daughter and she was fine
Wed at 2:55pm · Donna Hazell Quarles I'm pretty sure we did.
Wed at 2:58pm · Michael Robin Owens Goat milk. Its the closest to breast milk
Wed at 3:02pm · Kristen Hill Duke oooo, cool. Where do I get goat milk? Maybe like my almond milk....
Wed at 3:27pm · Alice Jacobs no, it's because they need the iron from your breast milk until 1 yr...
Wed at 3:56pm · Eva Matamoros Courtney HEB has pasturized goat milk in the freezer where the coffee cream is. It is closest to breast milk and more easily digested. I gave it to my kids when they had tummy troubles. And it's worth mentioning my father and his siblings were entirely brought up on fresh goat milk.
Wed at 3:58pm · Donna Hazell Quarles My youngest daughter wouldn't drink formula - so she went straight to whole cow milk around 10-11 months. My ped said it was ok...
Wed at 4:02pm · Jennifer Hoech yes, cow and goat will be fine however if you're already breastfeeding, why switch? My FIL had to have goat milk as well because his mom couldn't breastfeed. I just figure breastmilk is the best thing and it's free. if you're doing formula i have no idea, mine BF until atleast 2 years old. I know I'm weird.
Wed at 4:08pm · Eva Matamoros Courtney Jen: You're not weird. In fact, I applaud you for bfing your children long beyond what society dictates.
Wed at 4:16pm · Monique Driggs Butler it's not actually the iron from breast milk they need, breastfed babies actually need iron supplements according to my pediatrician. It's because the proteins in cows milk are harder for baby to break down. Goat milk is more easily digestible. I would try giving a little cow milk and see how she reacts. 2 or 3 of my kids have gotten pretty bad ...diarrhea when I first give them cow milk but as they get a little older they have adjusted. My 15 month old loves cow milk and has since I first gave it to him and he is still nursing. My 4 year old was nursed until she was 28 months and she has always hated cows milk and will only drink it flavored, or plain on cereal.
Wed at 4:46pm · Dona Seitsinger DiTore I think whatever you give you need to wean properly (3/4 whatever she is currently eating for a few days, then 1/2, then 1/4, mixed with whatever you want to switch her too).
I think I started weaing at 11 months. I am sure she will do fine, but I know they need the nutrients that first year. If the breast milk is the issue, maybe use formula for a few more months??? Either way, she will be pefect like the rest of your kids!
Wed at 4:53pm · Betsie Jones Price i did it and my kids are the bestest. lol! The dr said he can't say it's ok, but it's ok.
Wed at 5:02pm · Kristen Hill Duke Thanks everyone! I am currently nursing exclusively and she isn't a big fan of the taste of formula. I figure she is so close to cows milk, and just wondered who transitioned earlier. I still plan to nurse til she is at least 12 months, but I have to leave her a little longer in a few weeks and I wanted to have something to offer her besides ... apple juice and thought I could start introducing something now. The goats milk is a good idea. She is actually my only baby who I noticed a strong correlation to fussiness when I had lots of dairy (so I cut it out and drank Almond milk) so it probably is a good idea to hold off for a bit.
Wed at 5:12pm · Kristen Hill Duke By exclusively, I mean no other liquids except occasional apple juice. She is eating table food pretty well. Just had to clarify:)
Wed at 5:19pm · Amanda Taylor Carmack I adore breastfeeding but got doctor's permission to quit and go straight to cow's milk at 11 months with baby #1 because we were leaving town without him. Baby #2 went the whole 12+ months. With my third, I was forced to quit at 10 months because I had to have surgery to find out what kind of cancer I had, then start treatment. Despite doctor ... saying that it's better to wait until baby is 12 months, the kid would NOT take formula and can you imagine how stressed out I already was? After a couple of days we just gave her the cow's milk and guess what? All 3 of my kids are equally healthy and well-adjusted. But none of my kids had any reactions to anything I ate and we have no milk allergies either. If yours got fussy when you drank lots of dairy then you're smart to wait.
Wed at 6:38pm · Kristin Rust Robbie got cows milk at 10 months... After a business trip my milk supply diminished and I could not get him to take anything else... I started slow but he was able to manage it okay. He does have a little more sensitive stomach than Riley... might just be genetics but I often wonder if the early introduction to cow's milk could have played a part. At any rate, he never got really sick from the switch and still loves milk now! :)
Wed at 7:22pm · Michael Robin Owens Sorry my response was so short, it was done via text..... I had to wean Anden due to medical reasons at about 11months so there was not really a transition. Goat milk was good and reccomended by my Ped because we had some concerns over Milk allergies. (it runs in P's family) As far as the goats milk I would reccomend it because it's the only thing we know but it gets really expensive.
Good luck!
Wed at 9:35pm · Kristen Hill Duke Thanks Michael, I'm glad you mentioned it, I'm going to get it tomorrow:)
Wed at 11:11pm · Tamiel Thomas Turley I count down the days when we can finally give my baby cow's milk. Sooo much cheaper than Formula. Maybe Cali's trying to save you some money? Go goat's milk! Actually it makes me a little nauseous thinking about goats milk...but I've never tried it so what do I know??
Yesterday at 12:29am · Hali Hix McKeon The only warning I would give is that there are some studies that I have come across lately that link early introduction of cows milk to increase risk of type 1 diabetes. (fresh on my mind because our little Sydni has come down with type 1 recently) According to my pediatrician though, the only reason they need milk is for calcium, and missing it for a short time isn't going to matter. They can just eat food and drink water.
Yesterday at 12:31am · Nickie Nichole Beecher Isom ...calcium, iron AND the high FAT in whole milk is what my pediatrician said was the most important factor of the milk. Their brain is growing the fastest it ever will in a baby's first 3 years and it needs the high fat protein from the milk. I was told to give whole milk by my pediatrician for 3 years as main liquid with just 1 or 2 other ... liquids (water, juice) per day at the most. I'd recommend La Leche Leage website (breastfeeding advice) for a great source to learn more about milk for babies! Good luck...
Yesterday at 12:55am · Jennifer Remington Thompson I always wonder how babies can't have something when they are 11 months and 29 days and then magically they're fine to have it the next day. :) It's a guideline, not set in stone. That said, my kids have severe food allergies and they haven't been able to handle cow's milk until they were almost 2. We did soy b/c I had never heard of doing goat's ... milk. Maybe we'll give it a try next time. I'm also currently off dairy b/c of bf'ing. But I also can't have soy or almonds (allergens), so it's only rice milk for me (disgusting!!). I just take calcium supplements. Oh, how I miss milk!
Yesterday at 4:56pm ·

Another:
Kristen Hill Duke Just spent 20 minutes sitting on my daughters bed (with my eyes bugged out) as she tried on various combinations of shirts and pants and declared "nothing looks good with these pants." She kept asking through tears, "mommy, will you find something I like?" Then we just hugged.Yesterday at 9:22am Friends and Networks · Comment ·LikeUnlike · View Feedback (13)Hide Feedback (13)Selma Gibby, Kristin Rust and 2 others like this.
Tamiel Thomas Turley That is Hilarious!! She is such a DIVA!! Holy cow girl your in TROUBLE!! Lol!
Yesterday at 9:43am · Melissa Robinson Austin And so it begins.....
(Yesterday I took all the clothes out of Lily's room. Just for a few days. I can't deal with the drama right now...) :)
Yesterday at 10:42am · Lucy L. Stern Where did she learn that from?
Yesterday at 11:48am · Cynthia Southwick Bradford So cute! Girls are such a different species!
Yesterday at 12:09pm · Tonja Dunn Howa Cute!!!!
Yesterday at 12:40pm · Alison Brown Hardisty a VERY common occurence at my house with all 3 of my girls!! :) Gotta love it!
Yesterday at 12:44pm · Rosemary Raygurt Williams Welcome to the girl world!!!!!!!!
Yesterday at 12:57pm · Jessica Grimaud Brough Oh my goodness!!! I didn't realize it started so young. You are so sweet and patient!
Yesterday at 1:34pm · Kristen Hill Duke I was just giggling on the inside...I love her. It broke my heart that she was so frustrated with the whole issue.

Just one more:
Remove Kristen Hill Duke Do any of my local friends have a man's beret (hat) I can borrow?Yesterday at 10:19pm Friends and Networks · Comment ·LikeUnlike · View Feedback (6)Hide Feedback (6)
Dona Seitsinger DiTore Mike has a black one, I need to find it. When do you need it?
8 hours ago · Kristin Rust we have one also.
8 hours ago · Kristen Hill Duke This afternoon would be great! Dona--I have something for you. If you can't find it, I'll head to Kristin's, let me know!
6 hours ago · Pamela Lynn Jaecks McFall We have a brown one...somewhere can look it up if you need it
5 hours ago · Kristen Hill Duke Pam, Kristin has one for me...will let you know if that falls through--thanks!
2 hours ago · Kristen Hill Duke Got the hat!
5 minutes ago ·

And this was all in 24 hours.

Family Goals and Traditions

I've been wanting to post about a few new traditions we have started in our family. I have a few books that talk about the importance of traditions, helping families be connected to each other. I think it is so important, so I am always trying to come up with new things. Traditions around holidays are staples, but I am talking about traditions in the day to day. Week to week. I'm going to throw in some pics I took the other day, of our family just hanging out at home.

(I could have cropped this closer on the right, but I love how her little bum sticks out)
One we already do pretty well is our Monday Family Home Evenings. Our kids when they are VIP's at church, often say that their favorite thing to do with the family is family home evening. I find this fascinating b/c we do A LOT together as a family. We play games together many week nights, weekends are mostly just us. But I think the sitting together as a family, and inviting the spirit really helps them feel a closeness to each other, and for that I am grateful our church has encouraged it for 100 years. A recent general conference talk from Elder Bednar says that what is most important is that you have it regularly, not necessarily what it is about.
(Going over the new job chart)

Here is a quote I love:

Sometimes Sister Bednar and I wondered if our efforts to do these spiritually essential things were worthwhile. Now and then verses of scripture were read amid outbursts such as “He’s touching me!” “Make him stop looking at me!” “Mom, he’s breathing my air!” Sincere prayers occasionally were interrupted with giggling and poking. And with active, rambunctious boys, family home evening lessons did not always produce high levels of edification. At times Sister Bednar and I were exasperated because the righteous habits we worked so hard to foster did not seem to yield immediately the spiritual results we wanted and expected.

Today if you could ask our adult sons what they remember about family prayer, scripture study, and family home evening, I believe I know how they would answer. They likely would not identify a particular prayer or a specific instance of scripture study or an especially meaningful family home evening lesson as the defining moment in their spiritual development. What they would say they remember is that as a family we were consistent.

Consistancy is key!

We also attended a fireside tonight by the Stake Presidency specifically for parents of Primary aged children (3-12). It was centered around using the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet and teaching our children while they are young the standards so that when they are teenagers, it isn't new information. It is already instilled in them. They mentioned a few things that I have long wanted to do and have tried a little to do, but now have a deeper resolve to do. Centered around family traditions and consistancy.

They are:
-memorize a scripture a year as a family
-Have a family motto or theme that you repeat at least each family home evening
-pray morning and evening as a family (we have the evenig prayer down, morning is harder)
-read scriptures each evening (we already do this, and I am grateful Michael got this daily tradition rolling for our family)

We are going to do something with the motto around our last name, a sort of fun chant/dance, being silly and serious at the same time. Any suggestions???
The Dukes are:
D-
U-unified
K-
E-

That's all I've come up with so far.
(I have to add that Michael just got home from cycling...he even has gloves on, it was THAT cold).
I also have loved the idea of memorizing scriptures, because it has been so great for me as an adult to have had some scritpures memorized in my youth. NOW is the golden time/age for my kids. I wanted to do one a month, but Michael was overwhelmed with this, so one a year is good (but oh, to narrow it down) and it will become deeper seeded into them.

Now to share 2 things that my friend Emily shared with me, then blogged about (and Em, I could not find the post on it, link me up) that my kids have LOVED!

First in Nacho Sunday. We have a little tune we like to sing when we really like something, and nacho Sunday was lucky enough to be connected to that tune. We sing it on the way home from church now. I just have to rememer to have chips each Sunday. It's just our easy lunch after church. Chips with cheese for the kids, a little salso and sour cream for Michael and I. I love it. There, tradition made. We've done it for a few months now pretty consistantly. The kids get excited about nachos, I get excited to not have to think of making food for my starving kids running in the door from 3 hour church.
(click to enlarge)
Another cool tip from Em is Rose, Bud, and Thorn. She explains this well on her blog, but you'll have to watch for her comment with the link (it was a while ago). It is our nightly dinnertime discussion. I wasn't sure how the boys would accept it, being that it is centered around flowers. I joked with Michael that maybe we could call it Earth, Wind, and Fire, but the kids seem to like the gardening analagy. We even sometimes add seed, grass, dirt, etc.

Rose--Something good that happened today
Bud--something you are looking forward to tomorrow
Thorn--something sad that happened today
We also added
Seed--seed of kindness, what service did you do for someone today

It doesn't have to be complicated, and it often leads to further discussion. It doesn't have to be something that happened to them, but maybe that they observed (so and so got sent to the principle's office).

I was shocked that every day for weeks, they were so excited to sit down at the table to discuss (Alyssa even wanted to do it several times during the day, just the 2 of us). Mostly excited to share what they each had to say. We go in order depending on who prays (we rotate our prayers oldest to youngest from day to day). If you pray you share first and it goes through. Michael and I even share, and I think it is good for the kids to hear the good and the not so exciting things that we do during the day as well. We decided service was something we really want to emphasize in our family, and for them to think about it daily whether it be smiling at someone or helping at home, important to pinpoint and share.

More than anything, I want to create a family who loves each other and loves other people. A family that wants to be together. A family that has fun together, but also feels the spirit together as we work towards the common goal of being an eternal family. I want my children to know that when the world is a scary place, our family, our home is a safe haven. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with the task. But I do believe creating and fostering fun and spiritual traditions in the home can build that foundation for them.

(LOVE that tongue!)

It even says so in the proclamation on the family:

“Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when
founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Successful marriages and families are established and maintained
on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness,
respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational
activities” (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World”).

Share if you have something that works for you...

Still kickin'

My blog has been one of the furthest things on my mind. I just keep piling things onto my plate. We had a great Christmas as my parents house, which was just wonderful with my brothers and their wives all there. I know I took pictures, but haven't even looked at them yet. I made an album for my family with pics since my parents wedding day through each of our weddings to current day. It was awesome and I spent a lot of time on it, and I was so excited for Christmas morning to give it to everyone. I also made one for Michael's parents (and the one fam whose name we drew) from our family reunion's the last 10 years.

Our home lot has been cleared, has form boards down so we can see where it will sit on the lot and is getting plumbing run this week. Its been in the 20's in Texas, but still high 30's in the afternoon all week. Michael and Tyler are cuddled in the next room (10:56pm on a school night) watching the end of the UT game. Its a close one. Tyler loves his longhorns. I even snapped a few shots. Maybe I'll post them someday.

Yesterday my head was spinning, today it has slowed down. Sometimes I think I'm crazy with all I load onto my plate. Other times I think I'm adventurous. Cali isn't sleeping great and I'm feeling awful having her cry it out. When I relent and go in, she is on her 4's (did I mention she is crawling in full force now?) and it makes me feel worse. Or once, she was just sitting there...crying. My new plan is to go, pick her up, talk to her, then lay her down. That seems to be working better.

Well, the longhorns lost. Oh well....life goes on.

I liked this blog post on FOCUSING. This gal seems to say everything I want to say, do everything I want to do. I look to her for inspiration on how to mother in a fun way. She does a lot with traditions and rituals in her home with her family to keep things fun and consistant. I like that. Her children smile for the camera--I'm working on that one, too.

Here is a few picts I took the Sunday before Christmas, my girls in their matching pinks (and I found something to coordinate). Let me just add that Michael was totally against me forcing the children into another family photo shoot, but I assured him this would be quick and painless. I'm pretty sure it was neither, but look at the cute shots that came out of it! Another goal of mine this year is to pull out my "nice camera" to take more everyday shots of my kids instead of my pocket camera. I have since convinced Matthew it is actually cooler to cut off the pokey sideburns. Actually he wanted something out of the ordinary and I told him he could have it if I could cut off those crazy sideburns. I'm still trying to convince Tyler.

In no particular order...

Notice Matthew offering something to Cali....

I love this...

Cali loves Matthew's watch band. He is always taking it off for her to play with. He adores her.

Matthew shoving Alyssa aside--this is his time in the limelight with Cali. (He actually wanted a few shots with just the two of them "Take a picture of me and Cali.")










Cali kept looking at me...this is cute. She looks at me, Matthew looks at her.

Up to my eyeballs with my to-do list

The only reason I am updating this now is because I closed all windows early to go chat with hubby and he is watching a special that I can't sit through. So I figured I could always come send a little update. Besides the hussle and bussle of the holiday season, I have taken on a much bigger load of "clients" than I have in the past. Making money. Saving money. Good. But I am also trying to get all holiday stuff in order so that in a week, I can breath. No time now. Must. keep. pushing.

On top of that, my co yearbook lady reminded me that we wanted to take all class pictures before they let out for holiday. Oh yeah. I'll add that to my list. Almost done with my Christmas cards and they should get mailed out tomorrow. Alyssa was a great help in stuffing them and putting the stamps on. Man, it takes a while and costs $$$, but I love doing it, my little gift that I give to those I love that live far away. I'm so excited for the big reveal! I hope I get some in return...many going the "e" route. Already got a few cyber greetings, which is fine. I usually print them out, but my printer is broken. Bah humbug.

Oh yeah, I am also singing a duet with my friend at our church Christmas party on Saturday. I thought--hey--why not? I used to do it a bunch back in the day, but its been at least 8 years since I've done so. AND I am singing the Alto part. I've always loved it, but I get so thrown off with harmonizing, I'm crossing my fingers. I laugh and say...if all else fails...unison!

Made a handful of treats and passed them out on our 2nd annual Pajama Drive. The kids have asked about it all year, and they just love this new tradition! Made this delicious concoction and it is YUMMY!!! Click here for recipe. The mint extract in the chocolate really gives it a good kick.



My girls have been such troopers with my chaos...Alyssa isn't too sad that I've let her watch more shows than normal. I love how Cali fell asleep nearly upside down (don't be afraid--Alyssa has her). I was just in there not 2 minutes (ok, maybe 5?)before and she was sitting up playing with Alyssa, then I found this...




Tyler's wish list
Some high requests...hoping your holiday bussle is still joyful. We did get a little snow flurry. If you are on facebook, you would see those pics, but too many to put on now.

My friend Kelsey

5 years ago I was asked to serve in the Young Women's program at church. I was an advisor/teacher to the 16/17 year old girls. I LOVED it! When I was 17, I was really close to my leaders and still keep in touch with one of them. I still feel 17, so its right up my alley. Anyway, Kelsey was 17 when she was baptized. Introduced to our church from a friend, Elyse, who was also in our ward. I taught them plus about 10 other girls. Kelsey and I became pretty close. The summer before her senior year, we camped with a few hundred other girls (in cabins) and I kept her under my wing. I specifically remember her being the one to teach me how to properly wear a headband. Leaving some hair in front of the band.

She struggled being the only member of our church in her family, and I was able to be a sounding board for her at times. I just love her and admire her strength and courage.

She went off to college, and we sporadically talked, but not too much. Last spring just before Cali was born, we went out to lunch. A few weeks ago, she contacted me and said she wanted to go to church with me and hang out for the day. That, she did--and the next Sunday she also spent the afternoon with us. She likes to take credit for the fact that Alyssa was born because when we met, I just had the boys. She begged me for months to have another baby, and it just so happens I got pregnant around then.
Having fun with Cali.

The 2nd Sunday, she brought her friend Greg over to meet us. Alyssa took this--slightly blurred:)

It was the day after the Wing Ding 5k and we had a TON of bagels. They are sifting through the keepers. I sent them both home with some. I love the look on Kelsey's face as she spoon feeds Cali.

She is now trying to convince us we need a 5th and a 6th child. The kids had fun with her, and they so graciously shared their Halloween candy with her. When she said Snickers was her favorite, Tyler walked out with about 10 snickers in his hands--just for her. She was so excited. The kids also had fun playing with her iphone. She likes to remind Matthew that she changed his diapers. I just love her and its been so fun to have her in our home again.

Wow, I need a new update~Crazy times 'round here

Here I am with Cali at the Design Center with some of our choices.

Here is our lot. Tree on the far left will by right by the fence in our backyard--I told Michael it is perfect for a fort. Unfortunately, the tree in the middle will have to go for the home to sit there. The other trees are at the back of the lot, and will probably eventually be in our backyard neighbors yards, but will still shade ours.
This is one of the many times (and surely not our last) that we took the kids to the Sales office at the model home. They came into our meeting (as they watched a DVD or ran rampant) and said, "come take a picture of us." How could I resist? I love it!

Crazy busy around here! Our house has been on the market for 22 days and we've had 14 people come through to look at it. Still no offers:( Thats ok...we have time. Everyone says our pricing is, "exact" but complaining about the road behind us, O'Connor. Not a major road, but the neighborhood entrance road that gets a good number of cars through.

We have gone to the design center twice and painstakingly decided on all the details of our home. We had a minimal budget for "upgrades" and stayed within it, which made me happy. I think it will be funny to walk around my future neighbors home (who all had the same builder) and think...."ahh, you opted to do the cap and riser stair system for $700 and even the starter step for an additional $700" or "hmmm, they upgraded from brushed nickel to brushed chrome for all of their faucets, that is a good $500." So many new terms that I learned.
This past week I was agonizing over our wood floors. We want them, budgeted for them, then realized what we budgeted through the design center wasn't very high quality wood floors. It would be a major leap to get a nice floor. We found a contracter where we could get the good stuff for a lot less than the cheap stuff through the builder.
We like the sample on the bottom left.
Problem is, we can't use our contractor until after we close on the house, and we can't close on an unfinished house.

Sooooo, since carpet is "standard" they will put it in, and we will pull it out the day we close. Painful, yes, but we will still use or sell that carpet. Also, get this, we will carpet our kitchen. Yes, you heard that right. When I told the design lady we wanted to do that, she said it was, "against code." To which I fought it and ask why. She sais because the kitchen is a "wet area." To which I persisted with "why is that against code?" She asked her bosses, and guess what??? We got approval! So the kitchen will be carpeted, because I want wood in my kitchen. I almost consented to tile in the kitchen, but realized its just not what I want, I want to go all the way, baby. I spent hours on the phone and email and asking people about what exactly comes "Standard" in our future home, so I could be fully educated.

These are our selections. Cabinet is kitchen and all bathrooms. I wanted white, but it wasn't an option. Michael wanted dark wood. We'll see how I like it after a while. Love my granite. Good Frizzay (not sure the spelling) carpet was a standard. Brick became an upgrade after we selected it, but we get to keep it at the standard price. To the left of the brick is our exterior paint.

There were already a great deal of Standard features in this home. A local custom builder, Scott Felder Homes, just recently bought out Newmark Homes here in Austin. Just in July as we were looking (the prices went up during our negotiations, but I held firm on that original price).
Cindy--our design specialist. She was nice and not pushy, I appreciated that.
As standard, we already get granite countertops in the kitchen, 5 inch baseboards throughout the house (I didn't realize this was so nice) 8 foot doors downstairs (again, didn't realize it was such a big deal), a drain in the laundry room, round edged corners on all the drywall, 42 inch kitchen cabinets, black wraught iron stairwell bars (what are those called again?), and crown moulding in 2 rooms. All the hardware (door knobs, lighting) is a silver, which we are coming from shiny gold hardware so we are thrilled about the silver. We would have loved to upgrade to a brushed silver, but decided not to.

For our kitchen, we got a Level 1 granite. Level 1 consisted of 4 choices---black, black, black, and gray. I couldn't believe they were so similar. I had my heart set on the brownish yellowish granite, so that was one of our big upgrades--we jumped to level 3 granite. We also upgraded to have them paint our ceilings white to match our baseboards instead of the same color they are painting the wall (a tan color I chose). I wasn't sure about this one, but after some research, realized I wanted the ceilings white because it makes the room seem bigger, and lightens the room, too. I like to see the edges. Another upgrade we chose was to cut down the tile for our kitchen backsplash, to "bullnose" the granite edges in our bathrooms (that was minimal, but it makes it round instead of straight/right angle at the edges), double flood lights at the soffit (DID NOT know what that meant, but it is the backyard lights at the corner, under the gutter. Also upgraded our front door just a touch so I could get the cute Texas star glass.
Close up on our granite (the small one) and cabinet.
I was glad the design lady wasn't pushy. Our sales guy just didn't understand why we would want to pay cash for our wood floors instead of rolling it into the price of our mortage. I kept telling him we were happy with the monthly payment and didn't want to go up anymore. I told this to my friends and they said, "That is why we have the housing crises that we do--pushy people trying to talk homeowners into more than they should try to afford."

We are anxious to sell our home, as we've decided--it just doesn't feel like ours anymore. We de personalized it quite a bit, and have to leave at a moments notice for people to come walk through. I do try to soak in the last bit of it, though. As I walk into the beautifully clean rooms, I have the constant thought...."I'm really going to miss this place." I'm able to drag out the goodbye, which I think will make it a tad easier in the end.

Now to share some pictures from the past month or so....

This is the Sister Missionary who helped me paint some rooms before our house went on the market. Her companion left before I could get a picture. That day, they spent 3 or 4 hours in my bedroom touching up paint on the ceiling that I should have done years ago. It was painstaking, so I had them do it:) Alyssa was in there the whole time talking their ears off. This Sister pictures was very cute with Alyssa. The other one was annoyed, it made me laugh.

We went to Russ and Kim's (in San Antonio) twice in August. Once for Kim's shower/Michael's bike race, and once because I photographed a wedding. We love to hang out with them.


On a neighborhood stroll--Alyssa got tired (no surprise at all).
Asleep on Russ' floor (soon to be Bennett's room)
Kim's Shower below...Alyssa got to help select the presents to open.

While the girls were at the shower, the boys went to the community pool with a high dive.


Back home in RR, Alyssa took this of me....

Matthew was holding Cali and walking around, then I found him reading his book, her just next to him. Tyler came to join in. Once she saw me, it was all over.



After months of drought in our area, our Stake at church held a fast for rain. About 5 days later, it flooded in some areas. We got the rain we asked for. It rained for nearly 48 hours straight...and HARD RAIN! No lightening, so they had a grand time playing in it...











Did I ever post my apple green kitchen? I loved it, but painting over it was another part of my goodbye to this home. That color just won't work with dark chocolate wood cabinets.

Kids watching tv on a summer morning. Notice the breakfast "picnic blanket" on the floor behind them.

Yesterday we took a quick day trip to San Antonio to meet my new little nephew, Bennett Isacc Hill. He was born September 16th, the day before Cali's 5 month mark. Kim and Russ will be such great parents. I took a bunch of other shots that are on my "big camera" and I'll soon post.

The cousins...
Me and my little bro and our babies (Cali, the giant).

Whew--I feel relief that I'm caught up now. Michael and I are headed on our trip in a week and a half, and I've been planning that trip amongst everything else. Now to go to bed.